Ripe seasonal blueberries are one of summer’s treasures: sweet, full of juice, and just a tiny bit tart. As good as they are plucked straight off the bush (and no, we won’t judge you for not washing them first under those circumstances), the versatility of this pretty purple fruit makes it an irresistible addition to baked goods and even cocktails. They freeze well, too, so if you’re facing the end of the season and haven’t had a chance to tackle the recipes below—including a delicious blueberry pie, a tangy blueberry-lime ice cream, and classic blueberry muffins—be sure to load up at your farmers market and store some of those gems for the off season. Your future self will thank you.
Serious Eats / Jen Causey
In our version of this classic summer dessert, we pair a jammy blueberry filling with a sweet lemon-scented cornbread topping. A small quantity of cornstarch helps thicken the fruit filling without making it gloopy, and a touch of cinnamon enhances the natural flavors of the blueberries.
Get Recipe: Blueberry Cornbread Cobbler
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
These light, lemony scones are accidentally vegan. They’re made with coconut milk and coconut oil, which provide just the right amount of richness while still allowing the bright flavor of lemon and blueberries to shine through.
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Get Recipe: Blueberry–Lemon Scones
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
This snack is inspired by hjónabandssæla, jammy fruit bars frequently sold in Icelandic coffee shops. These bars are the perfect vehicle for market-fresh blueberries, cherries, and peaches, or your favorite jam during those times in between.
Get Recipe: Jammy Fruit Bars
Photographs: Vicky Wasik. Video: Natalie Holt
These bakery-worthy blueberry muffins have a tender crumb and delicately crisp top, with extra crunch from sparkling sugar. Plus: They take just 10 minutes to prep.
Get Recipe: Classic Blueberry Muffins Recipe
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
The secret to the very best blueberry pie is to use not one, but two kinds of blueberries: wild and cultivated. We recommend thickening the pie filling with tapioca starch, which results in a clear, just-set gel that’s never cloudy, slimy, or gloppy.
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Get Recipe: The Best Blueberry Pie
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Despite its cake-like appearance, this breakfast is undeniably a muffin at heart. It’s tender, light, and none too sweet or rich. Each bite is loaded with juicy blueberries seasoned with just the right amount of lemon juice and salt.
Get Recipe: Upside–Down Blueberry Muffin
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Blueberries are excellent when baked into pies and muffins, but they’re just as delicious in frozen treats. For popsicles that pop with bold blueberry flavor, cook the berries until they’re just soft, then blend them up into a flavorful purée. Paired with creamy Greek yogurt, each bite of the popsicle is sweet and tangy.
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Get Recipe: Blueberry–Yogurt Popsicles
Serious Eats / Jennifer Latham
You don’t need much to make a stellar blueberry jam—just some seasonal berries, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Select berries that aren’t too ripe, and you’ll get more pectin, acidity, and tannins in the batch, which results in jam with a better, jellied texture and richer, more complex flavor.
Get Recipe: Summer Blueberry Jam
Serious Eats / Max Falkowitz
For an ice cream that tastes just like blueberry cobbler, cook blueberries down into a rich jam before incorporating it into your base. Lime zest and juice give the custard a burst of acidity, while star anise and cinnamon bring a subtle warmth.
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Get Recipe: Blueberry–Lime Ice Cream
Serious Eats / Autumn Giles
This frosty beverage gets its creamy consistency from frozen kefir cubes, which keep the beverage cold without watering down its flavor. Fresh ginger gives it a spicy kick, making it an invigorating beverage to start the day with.
Get Recipe: Blueberry, Ginger, and Kefir Smoothie
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
This ice cream relies on the power of a stand mixer, rather than a proper ice cream machine. It’s a simple recipe that can be made with any freeze-dried fruit, including blueberries.
Get Recipe: Fruity No–Churn Ice Cream
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
This British classic is a stunning combination of wobbly fruit jelly, genoise sponge cake, crème légère, and whipped cream built in a sharing-size glass bowl. Studded with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, this is celebration-worthy dessert
Get Recipe: Mixed Berry Trifle
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